Hosiery package and method for producing the same



April 9, 1963 E. w. PARKER, JR 3,034,794

HOSIERY PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Fiied Feb. 17, 1960 2Sheets-Shut 1 INVENTOR EDGAR W PARKER, JR.

2 ATTORNEY p 1963 E. w. PARKER, JR 3,084,794

HOSIERY PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Filed Feb. 17, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet. 2

A INVENT OR ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,084,794 Patented Apr.9, 1963 3,084,794 HGSIERY PACKAGE AND METHGD FUR PRQDUCING THE AME EdgarW. Parker, In, Marion, N.(J., assignor to A. Yates Dewell and A. YatesDowell, In, Washington, D.C. Filed Feb. 17, 1969, Ser. No. 9,272 4Claims. ((31. 206-79) This invention relates to novel hosiery packagesand also to novel methods for packaging one or more pairs of articles ina single package.

One field wherein the invention has particular utility is in connectionwith the packaging of so-called stretch hosiery where, by reason of theunusual nature of the material from which such hosiery is produced,permanent characteristics of elasticity are obtained and such hosierymay be stressed to unusual limits and will return to normalpredetermined size and shape. However, the invention is not limited tothis particular field and may be employed with equal facility inconnection with other articles of Wearing apparel or the like where, byreason of the inherent characteristics of the item, packaging in a flatstate, whether folded or unfolded, is desirable.

Hosiery, generally, is packaged in a fiat state. With respect to stretchosiery, it has been found desirable to package such items in a flat andslightly stressed condition. Modern merchandising methods includeseveral forms of such packaging which may be said to be in relativelywide-spread use. Each of these forms contemplates the use ofcomparatively rigid inserts of a size slightly larger than that of thehosiery whereby a fiat package in slightly stressed condition isproduced.

In one of these forms, each sock or stocking is stressed upon a separateinsert and pairs are then secured together. In another form the firstsock is stressed upon a single insert and the second sock is thenseparately stressed to a slightly greater degree so as to envelop thefirst sock and insert contained therein, Thus, both socks are packagedin stressed condition upon a single insert, In still another form, onesock is retained in flat and unstressed condition in superposedrelationship with respect to a rigid insert and the second sock isstressed upon said insert in surrounding or enveloping relationship withrespect to both the insert and the unstressed sock. In all of theseforms of packaging, which, as stated hereabove, are typical of presentday commercial practices, the stressed socks with inserts may be foldedalong a median line so as to reduce the length of the completed package.

An objectionable characteristic with respect to the first form ofpackaging to which reference is made is the bulk and weight created bythe use of two boards. With respect to the second and third formsdiscussed, possible inadequacy may exist by reason of the fact that itis not readily determinable that two socks are present in each package.

The commercial advantages where a single insert is employed, referencebeing had to space and weight considerations, are too obvious to requirediscussion. Suificient rigidity in the insert, accompanied by inherentweight and thickness, is required to insure that the insert and packagewill not become unsightly through deformation. Applicant has discoveredthat a multiple board sock package can be produced, in accordance withthe novel methods to be discussed more fully hereinafter, wherein a pairof inserts may be utilized, the combined weight of such pair of insertsbeing comparable to that of but a single insert presently employed incommercial packaging. Further, applicant has discovered that, using aminimum of two inserts, one pair or multiple pairs of socks may beproduced in a single compact package with equal facility.

Accordingly, it is a major purpose of the present invention to provide anovel hosiery package wherein multiple boards are utilized, said packageincluding one board or insert with at least one sock thereon and oneinsert without any sock thereon, both of said inserts being enveloped bya single sock in stressed condition whereby a unitary package isprovided.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelmultiple sock package employing multiple boards wherein all of the socksare retained in stressed relationship, one of said socks enveloping theremaining socks and inserts employed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel multiple sockpackage employing multiple boards or inserts wherein all of the socksare retained in stressed relationship, one of said socks enveloping theremaining socks and inserts employed, and one pair of said socks may beremoved from the interior of said package without affecting adverselythe packaging of the remaining part.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide amultiple sock package wherein all of the socks are retained in stressedrelationship, one of said socks enveloping the remaining socks andinserts employed, whereby upon removal of the enveloping sock the matethereof will be freed while the remaining pair of socks will be retainedin undisturbed packaged condition.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel sockpackage wherein a plurality of socks are retained in stressedrelationship upon a single insert, a second insert is located insuperposed relationship with respect to said plurality of stressed sockswith an additional sock enveloping said plurality of socks and saidsecond insert.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide novel methodsof packaging whereby the foregoing and other novel and advantageousresults may be carried into practice.

Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a novel multiple board sock packageproduced in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sock package of FIGURE 1immediately prior to the final folding operation, parts being brokenaway to disclose the number of socks packaged and the location of boardsor inserts employed;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 44of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating a form of board or insertemployed;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, similar to FIGURE 2, of a modified formof the invention, parts being broken away to disclose the number ofsocks packaged and the location of boards or inserts employed;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View taken on the line 38of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIGURE 6, illustrating afurther modified form or" multiple sock package, parts being broken awayto disclose the number of socks packaged and location of insertsemployed;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmnentary longitudinal sectional view taken on theline 10ld of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line1111 of FIGURE 9.

Briefly stated, the novel-multiple sock packages and methods of thepresent invention contemplates he use of two semi-rigid inserts each ofwhich, desirably, is of lesser weight than comparable inserts presentlyemployed. in one embodiment of the invention one sock is mounted upon aboard or insert, a second board or insert is retained in superposedrelationship with respect to said mounted sock, and a second sockenvelops the mounted sock and second insert. in another embodiment ofthe invention a plurality of socks, desirably three, are mounted uponone insertin enveloping relation with respect thereto and each other, asecond insert is retained in superposed relationship with respect tosaid mounted socks, and one additional sock envelops the mounted socksand second insert. In still another embodiment of the inventionillustrated, a pair of socks are mounted upon one insert, one sock ismounted upon a second insert, and one additional sock envelops saidmountedpair of socks and said single sock. It will be understood all ofsaid socks are retained in slightly stressed condition whereby anoptimum appearance in the finished package is obtained and multiple sockpackages are produced wherein the weight of inserts employed iscomparable to that required for a single package under prior artteachlugs.

With continued reference to the drawings, as more particularlyillustrated in FIGURE 5, the insert may be formed from relatively Stiffbut thin and light-weight cardboard, or the like, and possesses aconfiguration resembling that of an extended foot, as iswell known inthis art. Where this insert is provided with a rounded extensionintended to accommodate the heel of the sock, care is exercised inplacing the sock upon the insert to provide for proper relationship.However, such an extension is not essential and hosiery may be packagedsatisfactorily in accordance with the present method by locating thesock heel centrally of the longitudinal edges of the insert.

Desirably, the insert lit is providedwith a transverse and centrallylocated score line 11 to assist in the ready folding of the sock packageto provide reduced length in the finished package. Further, the outerlongitudinal edges of the insert may be serrated as indicated at 12 forengagement with the cult portion of a sock mounted thereon whereby saidsock, in extended or stressed condition, is retained upon said insertagainst'inadvertent and undesired longitudinal movement.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1 through 4of the drawings, a first sock 13 is mounted upon a board or insert 10 inslightly stressed condition and a second insert 10 is retained injuxtaposed position with respect to the mounted sock 13. A second sock14 in slightly stressed condition envelops the sock and inserts referredhereabove, thus providing a neat fiat multiple board package of pleasingappearance. Consideration being given to the open end 15 of the sockpackage, see FIGURE 2, it is readily apparent that the package containstwo socks.

If desired, the package thus described may be folded along a transversemedian line coinciding with the score lines 11 of the inserts It wherebythe toe portion is brought into proximity with the open upper extremityand the usual paper rider R or the like may be employed to retain thehosiery package in the folded condition illustrated in FIGURE 1 of thedrawing. If desired, an additional paper enclosure, bearing suitableadvertising matter, may be employed as indicated at T to embrace thefolded heel portion and thereby provide a more attractive finishedpackage.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 6 through 8of the drawing, a first sock 16 is mounted upon an insert 10 in slightlystressed condition and a second sock 17 is mounted upon the first sock16 thus providing a packaged pair of socks with a single insert. A thirdsock 18 is now mounted upon a second insert 10, also in slightlystressed condition, and a fourth sock 19 in slightly stressed conditionenvelops the three socks referred to hereabove and inserts, thusproviding a neat flat multiple sock package of p easing appearance.

It will be obvious that upon removal of the sock 19 from the multiplesock package described hereabove, the sock 18 which forms a pairtherewith will be free for removal from its insert it The socks in and17, however, will remain upon their insert lit in neatly packagedcondition. Alternatively, under conditions where two pairs ofdifierently patterned or colored socks are packed together in themultiple sock package under consideration, socks l6 and 17 on theirinsert it} may be removed initially by the consumer, this leaving socksl8 and 19 in neatly packaged condition.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 9 through 11 of thedrawing, a first sock 2th is mounted upon an insert in in slightlystressed condition, a second sock 21 is mounted upon said sock 2i and athird sock 22 is mounted upon sock 21 thus providing three socks upon asingle insert. A second insert it is then retained in juxtaposedposition with respect to the mounted sock and a fourth sock 23 inslightly stressed condition envelops the three mounted socks referred tohereabove and the juxtaposed insert thus providing a neat flat multiplesock package of pleasing appearance. In use, removal of the envelopingsock 23 renders the three mounted socks available for progressive use asdesired.

Apparatus for mounting the socks to produce the novel multiple sockpackages described hereabove is illustrated and described in applicantspending application Serial No. 618,112 filed October 24, 1956, and nodiscussion thereof at this time is believed to be required.

It has been found in practice that where two inserts are provided ineach multiple sock package, the inherent stability provided by inclusionof an additional pair (or more) of socks permits use of inserts oflesser weight than required in a comparable single sock package wherebut one insert has been employed heretofore. Thus, considering that eachpackage can contain a minimum of two pairs of socks, a substantialsaving in weight and resultant shipping costs is achieved and,additionally, each multiple sock package requires less space than if thesame quantity of socks were packaged separately, thereby providingfurther economy in packing cartons and shipping space required.

While the present invention has been described in detail for use inconnection with the packaging of hosiery, the invention is by no meanslimited to .this particular field but maybe used with equal facility inconnection with other types of items produced from'flexible materials.In this connection, reference is had to gloves, undershirts, etc.

There has thus been described novel multiple sock packages, and novelmethods for the production thereof, which may be produced with greatereconomy and ease than heretofore has been known in related arts.Further, skilled labor is required neither for the production of thepackages nor for the operation of the apparatus contemplated.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention, both as to the packages per se and as to themethods involved, without departing from the spirit and scope thereofand therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in thedrawing and described in the specification but only as indicated in theappended claims.

It should be understood that, if desired, a third insert with one ormore socks mounted thereupon, may be included with equal facility in themultiple sock packages described; thus, suitable packages can heproduced containing three or more pairs of hosiery.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple hosiery package comprising an insert of relatively stiffmaterial of a configuration corresponding to that of an extended sock, afirst sock in extended stressed condition surrounding said insert, asecond sock in extended stressed condition surrounding said first sockand insert, a second insert of relatively stiff material of aconfiguration corresponding to that of an extended sock, a third sock inextended condition surrounding said second insert only, said third sockand its insert being superposed upon said second sock, and a fourth sockin extended stressed condition enveloping said inserts and the socksmounted thereupon.

2. A multiple hosiery package comprising an insert of relatively stiffmaterial of a configuration corresponding to that of an extended sock, afirst sock in extended stressed condition surrounding said insert, asecond sock in extended stressed condition surrounding said first sockand insert, a third sock in extended stressed condition surrounding saidsecond sock and insert, a second insert of relatively stiff material ofa configuration corresponding to that of an extended sock superposedupon said third sock, and a fourth sock in extended stressed conditionenveloping said second insert and the socks mounted upon said firstinsert.

3. The method of packaging a pair of articles formed from flexiblematerial Which includes the steps of providing a pair of inserts ofsubstantially identical predetermined configuration, stressing one ofsaid articles upon 6 one of said inserts in surrounding relationshipwith respect thereto, superposing said stressed article upon the otherof said inserts, and stressing the remaining article of said pair inenveloping relationship with respect to said first atticle and thesuperposed insert.

4. The method of packaging multiple pairs of articles formed fromflexible material which includes the steps of providing a pair ofinserts of substantially identical predetermined configuration,stressing one of said articles upon the first of said inserts insurrounding relationship with respect thereto, stressing a plurality ofadditional articles upon said first insert, superposing said pluralityof stressed articles upon the other of said inserts, and stressinganother of said articles in enveloping relationship With respect to saidplurality of stressed articles and the superposed insert.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,742,149 Berry Apr. 17, 1956 2,748,930 Power June 5, 1956 2,965,227Caulfield Dec. 20, 1960

1. A MULTIPLE HOSIERY PACKAGE COMPRISING AN INSERT OF RELATIVELY STIFFMATERIAL OF A CONFIGURATION CORRESPONDING TO THAT OF AN EXTENDED SOCK, AFIRST SOCK IN EXTENDED STRESSED CONDITION SURROUNDING SAID INSERT, ASECOND SOCK IN EXTENDED STRESSED CONDITION SURROUNDING SAID FIRST SOCKAND INSERT, A SECOND INSERT OF RELATIVELY STIFF MATERIAL OF ACONFIGURATION CORRESPONDING TO THAT OF AN EXTENDED SOCK, A THIRD SOCK INEXTENDED CONDITION SURROUNDING SAID SECOND INSERT ONLY, SAID THIRD SOCKAND ITS INSERT BEING SUPERPOSED UPON SAID SECOND SOCK, AND A FOURTH SOCKIN EXTENDED STRESSED CONDITION ENVELOPING SAID INSERTS AND THE SOCKSMOUNTED THEREUPON.